Governor and First Lady: Texas Governor’s Mansion Fully Restored

Austin, Texas - Gov. Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry today announced that the 156- year-old Texas Governor's Mansion has been fully restored.

"Today is a day for marking the 156 years this structure has served at the heart of the State of Texas, and for looking ahead to the next 150 years and more," Gov. Perry said. "Today, the Governor's Mansion stands renewed, as a symbol of Texas' resiliency and our state's determination to work together to overcome the greatest of challenges."

"Texans from across our state came together to rebuild Texas' home, a living link to our state's past and a monument to the individuals and families who have made the Lone Star State what it is today," said First Lady Anita Perry. "The Texas Governor's Mansion stands once again as a symbol of our proud heritage of bold leadership, revered tradition and fierce independence."

In October 2007, the mansion underwent deferred maintenance to replace plumbing and electrical systems, install indoor fire sprinklers, and improve handicap accessibility. In the early morning hours of June 8, 2008, an unidentified arsonist threw a Molotov cocktail on the front porch causing catastrophic damage.

The governor and first lady, along with the Texas Legislature, committed to preserve and restore the historic mansion, which has served as the official residence for governors and their families since 1856. It is the fourth oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the country and the oldest governor's mansion west of the Mississippi River.

The restoration was made possible by a $21.5 million appropriation by the Texas Legislature and a private fundraising effort led by Mrs. Perry, which raised more than $3.5 million from thousands of Texans. The governor and first lady thanked the first responders who helped fight the fire and save the structure from total ruin. They also offered praise to the many agencies that collaborated to rebuild the Texas treasure, including the State Preservation Board and the Texas Historical Commission.

The entire mansion underwent a complete restoration, including a new roof, repairs to the exterior masonry, restoration of the columns and porches, renovations to the kitchen, and the installation of a new geoexchange system to provide more energy efficient heating and cooling. Private funds were used to pay for an addition to the west side, restoration of historical features, improved handicap accessibility, and the completion of landscaping and historical documentation.

For more information about the mansion restoration project and the history of the mansion, please visit: http://governor.state.tx.us/mansion/ and http://governor.state.tx.us/mansion/timeline.